This patient underwent extensive sinus and anterior cranial fossa endoscopic surgery for the removal of a malignant ethmoid and nasal tumor arising from the olfactory nerve (esthesioneuroblastoma). This was followed by radiation therapy. Six months later, he developed bilateral nasal synechiae and severe nasal obstruction. The synechiae were surgically resected. A sheet of silicone was placed in the nasal cavity for several weeks, to prevent the adhesions from recurring.

Synechiae are bands of scar tissue (adhesions) that grow between the septum and the turbinates. Synechiae are complications of nasal or sinus surgery, nasal packing, nose picking, trauma or cocaine use. They are also seen in syphilis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis or lupus.